Have you ever poked a hornet's nest? On a related note, full-size pickup truck fans
are a passionate Bunch did you know that the top three best selling vehicles in
America are the Ford F-series, Ram pickup and Chevrolet Silverado? Given their
prominence it's smart to compare these titans, sorry Nissan, knowing full well
the outrage and truck related zealotry such a comparison might inspire. Oh man,
the comments section is gonna catch fire on this one. All right let's poke that
nest. The Chevrolet Silverado is all new for 2019. Given the subjective nature of
style you might love or hate its design, but the latest Silverado has many
objective improvements worth highlighting. Built atop an all-new frame
that's lighter and stronger with a four- inch longer wheelbase, this bad boy
steers with improved accuracy returning a firm but pleasing ride. While not
radically different from the previous version, the cabin is hushed, functional
and spacious thanks to that lengthier wheelbase. For payload duty every
Silverado includes 12 tie-downs and a high strength steel bed that's easily
accessed too thanks to corner bumper steps. Fill that bed and you'll
appreciate the optional digital rear view mirror for towing. Chevy includes an
app with checklists and a helpful trailer light tests feature. We wish the
option sheet also offered adaptive cruise control or blind spot warning
that accounts for a trailer, but there's no arguing with the Silverado's varied
engine choices. For 2019 there's a 4.3- liter V6, a turbocharged 2.7-liter
4-cylinder, 5.3 and 6.2 liter V8s and later in the year a 3.0-liter inline six-
cylinder turbo diesel, and no, details of the diesel we're not available as of the
making of this video. Add countless trims to cab sizes to bed lengths and plenty
of cool options and there's a Silverado for nearly every taste. Where the
Silverados tow capacity peaks at 12,200 pounds the RAM 1500
can lug up to 12,750 pounds. Assuming you're
cool driving the smaller Quad Cab. Does an extra 550 pounds of capacity
really matter? To most drivers and probably not, but it does to those who
tow or to those who like to lord their truck's numerical superiority over others.
Either way while the Silverado is a veritable
buffet of trucky choices, the RAM 1500 offers a more focused menu. Engine
choices are limited to a 3.6-liter V6 and a 5.7-liter Hemi V-8, each paired
with an 8-speed automatic transmission. Standard on the V6 and optional on the
V8 is e-torque, a mild hybrid system that imparts brief bursts of supplemental
torque along with a reasonable bump in fuel economy. Like the Silverado, the 2019
Ram also rides on a new lighter and stronger frame that does good things for
the 1500's already plush ride. Seriously the Ram's rear coil springs and optional
air suspension work wonders. Matching its on-road refinement is a classy interior
with smartly placed controls and a superbly spacious crew cab blessed with
massive rear seat legroom. We'd linger on those details but the optional 12-inch
infotainment screen is super distracting. It's a dazzling centerpiece for a
welcoming interior, but for daily usability we actually prefer the
physical controls included with the smaller 8.4-inch Uconnect system. Back
to work! The Ram 1500 handles hefty payloads with
these. If you're willing to sacrifice some space optional Ram boxes adds
lockable storage for smaller items. KBB's projected five-year cost to own
data suggests the Silverado and F-150 are more economical long-term
investments, but for daily livability and robust capability the Ram 1500 is a
worthy choice. Rounding things out we have the Ford F-150. It's the only
carryover model in this little test. You'd think the F-150 would be stuck
playing catch-up, but by the numbers the F-150 is still the one to beat. It has
best in class towing and best-in-class payload capacity. The F-series is also
the best-selling vehicle in the US, so clearly Ford is doing something right.
Where engine choices are concerned the F-150 provides a Silverado-like buffet.
And here we go again. There's a 3.3-liter V6, a 5.0-liter V8 EcoBoost V6 is in both
2.7- and 3.5-liter variants. There's a high-output 3.5-liter EcoBoost featured
in the F-150 Limited trim and Raptor and finally a turbocharged 3.0-liter
diesel V6 that delivers up to 30 Highway mpg
according to the EPA. Ah all these engines are gonna wear out my voice. Then
there are the three body styles, regular super cab, and super crew along with
three bed lengths plus trims ranging from elementary work trucks up to this
fancy King Ranch, to my beloved Raptor, which looks like this when it's jumping.
That's fun. During our little test the F-150 hauled and towed with great
competence. That accessibility is eased by the optional bed step, though GM's
multi pro six function tailgate utterly obliterates the F-150 where usability is
concerned. Can't wait for that little wonder to find its way onto the back of
the Silverado. Anyway, for trailering Ford's Pro Trailer backup assist lets
the driver steer rearward using a simple dial, radically reducing the likelihood
of a YouTube worthy fail. We also love that just like the RAM 1500 theF-150's
blind-spot warning system accounts for a trailer. The F-150 is a value rich,
flexible, capable pickup truck offered at a range of styles. It also won Kelley
Blue Book's pickup truck Best Buy award for 2019,
so yeah we like it. Then again, there are so many variables in the world of pickup
trucks, depending on your preferences and priorities, either the RAM or Silverado
might be the better buy. If you'd like a deeper look at any of these sweet rigs
mosey on over to kbb.com.